University of Florida
Citrus Breeding Program
Established almost 100 years ago, the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center (UF/CREC) is the oldest and largest off-campus experimental station in the University of Florida system. It focuses on only one commodity – citrus.
The UF/CREC citrus breeding program has built and maintained an extensive collection of novel and diverse citrus germplasm. The criteria for selection of improved rootstock and fruiting cultivars include:
- Wide adaptability
- Tolerance of high pH, calcareous and heavy soils
- Optimum tree size as needed for ACPS (Advanced Citrus Production Systems)
- High yields of high-quality fruit
- Reduced seed count
- Salinity tolerance in some areas
- Resistance to CTV-induced quick decline, citrus blight, nematodes, Phytophthora nicotianae, Phytophthora palmivora and the Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex, HLB (huanglongbing)
